Monday, March 16, 2009

My first Thursday evening Slow Spokes ride

I was still worried about how I would be accepted with both the trike and Bionx - post follows -
I would really like to go on these rides. I know my trike presents some problems when you all are working on riding in a pace-line. I do not mind riding behind the group off the back. I am more aerodynamic than you all are and do not need to draft to keep up. I just like riding with groups, however if you fell it would cause too much trouble as has been suggested to me for other group rides let me know and I will not attend.

The following was Ricks the ride leaders answer on the forum - we have never had any other recumbent cyclist but I keep hopping -

Ashby, it should be no problem having you and your trike on these rides. We are not to the point with this group, yet, of trying to rotate, and I know you can keep up with the pace. You do not need to stay off the back. On the back or second from the back (with an experienced rider behind you) would be fine.When we do get to the point with this group to start rotating pace-lines, you are still welcome to ride with us. All I would ask is that you allow the rider who is coming off the front to get back into the line in front of you.It would be a blast if we could get three or four more trikes or recumbents to join you and start a separate rotating line just for the recumbents.

03-17-09
This was my reply to Rick who by the way has turned out to be a friend and is a good ride leader.
OK - GREAT! I am looking forward to the ride. I am new to cycling in this area but not a new rider the trike however is new to me. I am willing to ride anywhere in the group you want me and follow instruction of the ride leader. I am comfortable riding on the road and in groups. Unless work inter fears I will be there. I have ridden in a group of 9 recumbent before - I use to organize a recumbent ride monthly in New Orleans when I lived there. If you think one recumbent bike or trike get looks you should see 9 of them rolling down the road. I do not have a picture of the 9 bent ride but here is one from a six bent ride. I use to ride a long wheel base bent, I still have it but balance issues prevent me from riding it right now. Thanks.

Here is my post after the ride which I did really enjoy even through I could barely keep up and was exhausted afterwards. What can I say I am a geek - I like numbers.

A good ride
I really enjoyed the ride - it was a bit short but as daylight allows I am sure it will get longer. My GPS reports

1:00:33 ride time
11.54 miles
1,191 ft elevation gained
1814 calories burned
Avg speed 11.4 mph
max speed 29.9.
My cycling computer reports
2% avg. climb
7% max climb
54 avg. cadence
91 max. cadence
I did not get my heart rate on this ride.
At the beginning of the ride the temperature was 73 degrees and during the ride in one 20 time period it dropped to 66 degrees, it was 64 degrees at the ride end.

I have included some pictures - you can see a map of my route here - hope to see everyone next week and some new folks also.

Every second and ounce counts.
My weight was 376.4 pounds today.

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